POSITION SUMMARY
Program Type: AmeriCorps State / National
Program: The San Juan Preservation Trust — Field Technician
Program Start/End Date: 02/03/2020 – 07/31/2020
Work Schedule: Full Time
Education level: College graduate
Program Location: WASHINGTON STATE
Accepting Applications: From 12/03/2019 To 01/24/2020
AmeriCorps Listing ID 92699
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 1/24/2020
JOB DESCRIPTION
As an AmeriCorps member, your service to the San Juan Preservation Trust will involve assisting with two rare-species projects that we have been managing for a number of years:
1. The San Juan Islands Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project
Though not rare in the US, Western bluebirds were extirpated from the San Juans until a reintroduction effort began in 2007. The population is still small and vulnerable, and we are actively monitoring population status to determine success of the program.
2. The Island Marble Butterfly Habitat Expansion Project
The Island Marble butterfly is an endemic subspecies that will soon be listed under the Endangered Species Act, as it is found nowhere else in the world. SJPT has begun a program of creating new habitat areas for the butterfly in an effort to aid recovery of this critically endangered species.
While both of these programs are well established, additional assistance is needed with field observations, habitat management, volunteer coordination, and landowner outreach and engagement.
Member Duties: Knowledge/interest in the natural world and keen observational skills will be a plus for interested applicants, but you will receive training in the field to help you develop your skill set.
Western Bluebird Project service will involve searching for banded birds around the island, locating nests, monitoring the fate of active nesting pairs and their young throughout the breeding season, predator-proofing vulnerable nest boxes, installation of new nest boxes, outreach to new landowners, assisting with data collection and entry, coordinating volunteers and volunteer events, and, if desired, learning (or using) basic ArcGIS skills to help with map creation.
Island Marble Butterfly tasks will focus on: habitat-patch maintenance, including seeding desirable species and removing invasive weeds; field observations and searches for butterfly presence; volunteer coordination and outreach; and possible captive-rearing of butterfly larvae should conditions present themselves.
Program Benefits: Choice of education award or end of service stipend, education award upon successful completion of service, health coverage, training, stipend, childcare assistance if eligible.Terms: Car recommended, which would permit attendance at school during off hours.Service Areas: EnvironmentSkills: Environment, teamwork, education, general skills, computers/technology
The San Juan Preservation Trust (SJPT) is a nonprofit conservation land trust based in the San Juan Islands in northwestern Washington State. We work with our local communities to permanently conserve and care for special places throughout the islands. Over the last 40 years, and together with our landowner partners, SJPT has permanently protected more than 300 properties, 45 miles of shoreline, 27 miles of trails and 18,000 acres on 20 islands.
In addition to conserving land through fee ownership and conservation easements, we care for the lands that are entrusted to us, including the plants and animal species that inhabit these places.